Republicans re-elect Midlander Haines

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, February 11, 2007

Midlander Scott I.

By Stuart Frohm

Midlander Scott I. Haines kept his seat on the Republican State Committee this weekend.

With presidential politics intensifying, Haines didn't decide which candidate to back for president. But he said he and U.S. Rep. Dave Camp backed the losing candidate for state Republican youth chairman. That close vote appeared to show strength of backers of U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Republican activists of the 4th Congressional District met in Grand Rapids - site of this weekend's Republican State Convention.

Haines, unopposed, was elected to a fourth two-year term on the Republican State Committee and was re-elected treasurer of the 4th District group. He is also Midland County's register of deeds.

Haines is "looking at" backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination, but also found U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas impressive.

Presidential politics have "really heated up in Michigan," said Haines, who saw a lot of activity and enthusiasm at the state convention.

But in the 4th District gathering, Haines saw none of marked division Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis tried to discourage.

Linda Birgel of Gladwin said she's still looking over the field but can find something to like about all the Republican presidential contenders.

"I'm not going to be unhappy with whoever it is" who wins the nomination, she said. "I want to support the one I think we can elect."

Camp has national and state roles in Romney's exploratory campaign.

McCain backers got their candidate, Matt Hall, elected Republican state youth chairman over Trevor Pittsley, who had the backing of Anuzis, the anti-McCain forces, Camp and Haines.

Hall got only 14 more votes in a 998-984 victory.

McCain backers were less successful in a 1st Congressional District race, where their candidate lost to Joel Westrom of Marquette.

Brownback, who is running as the conservative heart of the party but opposes President Bush's decision to send 21,000 more troops to Iraq, got a warm reception with his pledges to protect life and the traditional family.

He also called for wiping out cancer in 10 years and for putting more resources into alternative energy.

"Michigan is going to be a key state in getting that done," he said, noting its efforts to encourage the production of ethanol and biodiesel.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller spoke on behalf of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

She acknowledged that not everyone would be happy with Giuliani's support for abortion rights, but said he reduced crime significantly, tackled welfare reform and reduced taxes 23 times while he was mayor.

"That is conservative leadership," she said, adding, "If we need to have a candidate we agree with 100 percent … there is no such person."

Many of the state convention's speakers brought up their opposition to a 2 percent tax on services that Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm proposed last week.

Popular at the convention were buttons which said "Naysayer - And Proud of It."

In her State of the State address, Granholm called those who oppose any talk of new taxes "naysayers" who aren't interested in investing in the state's future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Stuart Frohm, political writer and wire editor, can be reached at 839-4244 and stufrohm@mdn.net.